Abstract
The crystal-chemical, vibrational, and optical properties of microporous aluminosilicate cancrinite have been investigated by combining electron probe microanalysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared (IR) absorption, Raman, UV-Visible absorption, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The behavior of the peaks in the IR spectra was also studied during the dehydration of the sample. The analyzed sample has the following unit cell parameters (P63): a = 12.63189(14) Å, c = 5.13601(7) Å. The empirical formula, based on 12(Si + Al), is Na6.47Ca1.23K0.01[Al5.97Si6.03O24] (CO3)1.45(SO4)0.03Cl0.01·2H2O. The Al-Si framework of AB-type is formed by columns of based-shared “cancrinite” (CAN) cages, containing Na and H2O positions located on the 3-fold axis, and channels with CO3 groups, lying in two mutually exclusive and partially occupied positions in the center of the channel, and split Na/Ca cation sites. The revealed characteristics are somewhat different in comparison with the cancrinite structural features previously described in the literature. Studied crystals change color from grayish-pink to blue after X-ray irradiation (104 Gy). The blue color of the irradiated cancrinite is caused by the formation (CO3)−● radicals in the crystals. Combining the results obtained using the selected methods will provide a better understanding of the relationships between the structural, chemical, and optical-physical properties of microporous aluminosilicates.
Highlights
Cancrinite is a widespread mineral, having white, light blue, gray, yellowish, greenish, or bright yellow color
The studied cancrinite was taken from Zhidoi alkaline complex (Tunka Range, Irkutsk region, Russia), situated in the Southern framing of the Siberian Craton, and mainly composed of silicate rocks with perovskite and ilmenite pyroxenites, dikes of ijolites, nepheline and cancrinite syenites, and carbonatites [14]
The main difference between the chemistry of the reference that cancrinite is substantially free of chlorine (~0.03 wt.% Cl), potassium
Summary
Cancrinite is a widespread mineral, having white, light blue, gray, yellowish, greenish, or bright yellow color. Its name corresponds to the surname of Count Georg Ludwig. Cancrinite is an aluminosilicate belonging to the feldspathoid family, characterized by layers of six-membered rings of. 16.9 [1], a value lying in the range (from 14 to 22) found for zeolites and microporous mineral phases. The mineral was considered as promising zeolite for accommodating various inorganic and organic species in the structural voids. That it is useful for the development of new pigments [2] and storage tanks containing high-level waste [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
